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Home Economics Tips

Learning About Good Nutrition
Manny, Middle School Teacher: Louisville, Kentucky

"Have students plan a personal diet that is nutritional, accommmodates
activity level and optimal weight. Have students keep a journal of what
they eat on a daily basis and record the energy levels that they experience
as a reult of thie dietary in-take. Use it for discussion purposes and have
students analyze the effect of diet on energy, academic performance, moods,
sleep patterns, etc."

Learning How to Cook
Anthony, 4th Grade Teacher: Madison, Wisconsin

"I beleive that students should learn food preparation at a very early
age. It builds repsonsibility and appreciation for providing meals that
are nutritional and satisfying. I choose up to 24 different recipes that
as a class we follow during the course of the year. I try to coordinate
it with what I am doing academically, be it in language arts or social studies.
I have a two burner electric unit avaliable along with electric frying pans,
and even a barbeque grill when weather permits. I also have a small refrigerator
in my classroom to store perishables that are needed for any of the recipes.
it is a special treat for my students to collaboratively plan meals that
we all share. make sure you are aware of any food alllergies that your students
may have."

The Importance of a Interdependency
Jane, 3-4 Grade Teacher: St. Louis, Missouri

"Interdependency is an important concept for children to learn. Cooperation
and communication among family members and other groups are important factors
that help create healthy living environments. I provide opportunities for
my students to practice "getting along" with each other by using
cooperative learning and by using simulations that require students to make
responsible decisions. Easy tasks that reinforce these concepts include
simple classroom maintenance where all students are given 'responsibilities'
that they are held accountable for. If students do not uphold their responsibility,
we have a classroom meeting at the end of the week and discuss solutions
that can help those students rise to the occasion."

"Teach your students all emergency procedures that are needed in case
they are faced with crisis situations. Students can make a list of things
that they need to know in case of an emergency. For example, what to do
in cases such as: fire; food poisoning; loss of power and utilities; floods
or any natural disaters; danger to oneself or family members; accidents
that require medical attention. Each item identified should have a step
by step procedure that students can easily identify with and apply in the
case of en emergency. For example, have a list of phone numbers that can
be called. You can also have local agencies (police, fire, utility workers,
hospital workers) come in and serve as guest speakers to help students to
formulate their action plans. A project based assignment can be a "safety
plan"`for the home."

"Students with limited abilities have a hard time knowing what to
wear when the weather changes from season to season. I teach the different
blends of materials that are used for clothing and show students how these
materials are used to protect them against the elements. I do this by using
a lot of examples and non-examples of clothing that I have collected over
the years in teaching. I especially do this when the weather changes and
clothing needs to change accordingly."